Legislación

España – Aprobadas restricciones al juego en Baleares

El Gobierno de las Islas Baleares has approved a bill which will modify Ley 8 / 2014, which covers gambling and betting in the Balearic Islands. The objective of the bill is to reduce gambling related harm and provide greater player protection measures.

The bill comes in response to a growth of gambling in recent years, especially the rise of betting establishments as well as the growth of online gaming, which has in turn led to calls from the public and the regional and state public administrations to curb the growth of the industry.

Reform will incorporate provisions aimed at limiting the granting of new authorizations for gambling halls in the territory. According to lawmakers, the number of authorized gambling halls has experienced notable growth in recent years, and has experienced high concentration in certain areas. Currently there is a ratio of 108 land-based gambling establishments for every million inhabitants. These values place it as the third autonomous territory with the highest density of gaming supply. The government aims to reduce the number of gambling halls and betting establishments so that they do not deviate markedly from the average per inhabitant ratio when compared to the whole of the Spanish State.

At the same time reform will widen the distances between gaming rooms and certain spaces dedicated to education, the recreation of minors, and vulnerable people. In addition the new bill establishes an electronic age control system for the use of Type B slot machines which are present in bars and restaurants and increase penalties for those found to be breaking the law.

 In 2020 de enero El Govern de las Illes Balears aprobó la suspensión de la concesión de nuevas autorizaciones para la apertura de salas de juego durante dos años. Se suponía que el período de dos años daría tiempo al gobierno para decidir nuevas reglas en cuanto a dónde se podrían construir nuevas instalaciones y el futuro de la industria en general.